Reserved for Nash
AI and human rights: Tackling algorithmic bias with data driven governance
• Using data and evidence to identify, assess, and mitigate algorithmic bias in critical domains such as hiring, policing, and welfare delivery
• Embedding human rights principles, such as fairness, accountability, and transparency, into the design and deployment of AI systems
• Building public trust by having policy frameworks and practical tools to support ethical AI use across the public sector
• Lessons from recent initiatives and research on aligning emerging technologies with democratic values and public trust
Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner,Australian Human Rights Commission
Ignite connections and collaboration!
Join engaging, informal conversations designed to foster meaningful connections, spark dialogue, and share practical insights with fellow data professionals, leaving you with actionable takeaways to apply in your work.
Navigating ATO’s AI strategy and roadmap
• Embedding AI in the ATO’s digital transformation journey
• Strengthening frameworks to protect taxpayer data and maintain public confidence
• Collaboration with other agencies, industry, and workforce to scale AI adoption and skills
Andrew Watson, Chief Data Officer, and Deputy Commissioner Smarter Data Program , Australian Taxation Office
Evaluating machine learning models: In-house vs commercial
• Comparing the total cost of ownership, development timelines, and return on investment between in-house and commercial ML solutions
• Considering intellectual property ownership, agility, and alignment with agency wide digital transformation goals
• Assessing how well each approach supports future growth, increasing data volumes, and evolving organisational needs
Enhancing AI capability across your organisation
• Leveraging AI: How current applications drive efficiency, innovation, and better outcomes in your agency
• Overcoming barriers: risk aversion, legacy systems, and funding constraints
• Developing the structure, skills, and culture to deliver trusted and responsible AI in government
• Opportunities for collaboration and cross-agency learning
Panellists:
Paul Hubbard , Co-Head of the AI CoLab and , Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance
Jenny Humphrys, Chief Data Officer and AI Accountable Official, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Heather Cotching, Assistant Secretary, Data, Digital and Analytics Branch, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The roundtable discussions offer a unique chance to engage with data peers, sharing common challenges and best practices on a topic of your choice. Each of the roundtables will be co-hosted by a technology expert and a government data leader, ensuring meaningful and insightful conversations. At the end of the discussion, facilitators will share a summary of the key findings to the entire group, allowing all participants to benefit from the collective insights.
Roundtable 1: Strengthening AI and data governance to enable innovation, accountability, and public trust
Facilitator: Senior Representative, RecordPoint
Roundtable 2: Harnessing generative and agentic AI to drive innovation, efficiency, and smarter public services in government
Roundtable 3: Unlocking actionable insights and smarter decisions with advanced analytics and machine learning
Roundtable 4: Ensuring trust and accountability through robust data privacy and ethical practices in government
Roundtable 5: Navigating data sovereignty in the AI era
Roundtable 6: Enabling collaboration and better outcomes through secure, efficient, and connected data-sharing ecosystems across agencies
Roundtable 7: Building robust data infrastructure and capabilities to drive efficiency, insight, and informed government decision-making
Roundtable 8: Strengthening trust and compliance through effective data privacy and security practices in government
Lessons from UK Government Investments
• Leveraging AI and analytics to enhance investment decisions and optimise government asset management at UKGI
• Case studies of technology enabling cross-agency collaboration and more informed policy decisions
• Linking data strategy to organisational outcomes and national priorities
• How Australian government agencies can adapt UKGI’s approach to accelerate data-driven transformation
Shehroze Junejo, Executive Director and Chief Data Officer, UK Government Investments
Aligning data strategy with whole of government priorities to drive policy, responsiveness, and public impact
• How government is using data to measure and deliver on strategic priorities
• Bridging the gap between high level policy goals and on the ground data initiatives
• Approaches to foster collaboration and data sharing across departments and jurisdictions
Duncan Young, Chief Data Officer and First Assistant Secretary, Health Economics and Research, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Delivering better patient outcomes with linked data, early intervention, digital transformation, and AI
• Human-centred data use in Victoria’s healthcare sector — putting patients at the centre of decision-making
• Tackling key challenges: ageing population, chronic disease, rising costs, and underutilised health data
• Maximising emerging technologies: leveraging data assets, whole-of-life funding models, and democratised analytics to bring insights closer to patients
• True digital transformation: moving beyond digitisation to redesign care models for greater efficiency and equity
Kate Lucas , Chief Analytics Officer, Department of Health (VIC)
Moving from data literacy to data fluency
• Understanding the difference between data literacy and data fluency and why fluency is essential for impactful decision-making in the public sector
• Unlocking the keys to successful modern data platforms that drive efficiency, insight, and better outcomes in government
• Exploring the foundational skills required to confidently interpret, question, and apply data in a policy and operational context
• Discovering structured development pathways and tools that can help public servants transition from basic data understanding to confident, fluent application
Samuel Spencer , Chief Executive Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, Aristotle
Future proofing government data ecosystems: Enabling trusted, end-to-end service delivery
• Moving from siloed datasets to unified, trusted data layers across the APS
• Leveraging tools and strategies to generate actionable insights faster while reducing manual processing
• How should public sector agencies and departments leverage partnerships
Panellists:
Lisa Bush, Branch Head National Location Information, Geoscience Australia
Andrew Spiegelman, Head of Data andAnalytics, Service NSW
Reframing data governance as an enabler rather than a barrier or checklist
• Taking a step back to the “why” of data governance, and integrating this purpose into designs, culture, frameworks and the way we work
• Making data governance and data dictionaries accessible for the user, changing culture and improving staff confidence
Data cataloguing and meta data management for the public sector
• Building searchable, user-friendly catalogues
• Frameworks to support data discoverability and trust
How and when to break the data analysis rules for better government decision making and citizen outcomes
• Identifying when to go beyond automation, dashboards, and self-service analytics to unlock unique insights for government decision-making
• Requirements and enablers for bespoke, high-impact analytics products tailored to policy and service delivery needs
• Demonstrating how strategic deviations from standard data processes can improve citizen outcomes and operational impact
Joe Walshe, Assistant Director – Data Analytics, ACT Ambulance Service, Justice and Community Safety Directorate
Navigating AI governance in uncharted territory
• Defining accountability in autonomous decision making
• Balancing innovation with safeguards
• Lessons from high-risk use cases
Building a digitally capable public sector by uplifting data skills and capabilities in shaping a data driven future
• Building structured career pathways for data professionals
• Embedding data literacy and leadership across all levels
• Aligning workforce capability with agency and whole of government priorities
Panellists:
Joe Walshe, Assistant Director – Data Analytics, ACT Ambulance Service, Justice and Community Safety Directorate
Senior Representative from Logicly
Fireside chat Examining government cybersecurity strategy from a whole-of-nation perspective
• Where are we now in implementing Australia’s cyber strategy?
• What’s working, what remains fragmented, and what national coordination still needs to happen?
• Considerations across federal, state, and critical sectors
Moderator:
Jason Murrell, Chairman, Dynamic Standards International and Chair, Australian Cyber Network
LTGEN Michelle McGuinness CSC, National Cyber Security Coordinator, National Office of Cyber Security
The role of technology in fostering the power of personal data, privacy, trust, and innovation
• Empowering citizens with greater control and transparency to build public confidence in how their data is accessed and shared
• Harnessing technology to safeguard privacy while strengthening public trust in government data use
• Enabling citizens with centralised control of their data while ensuring government compliance and accountability
Navigating ethical data use, privacy, and compliance in the age of AI
• Innovating with AI while safeguarding ethical standards and public trust
• Implementing frameworks to promote ethical AI and data use while strengthening trust and accountability in government outcomes
• Identifying and Addressing Bias in Public Sector Data and Algorithms
Dimitar Dimitrovski, Chief Information Officer, The Fair Work Ombudsman
Implementing digital sovereignty strategies to protect critical data
• Aligning with data regulations and privacy mandates
• Addressing shared responsibility and compliance in hybrid models
• How can multiple cloud service providers work together to provide a flexible service for the use
• Tools to improve visibility and assurance in regulated sector
The evolving role of the CISO in driving innovation while ensuring compliance, building trust, and mitigating risk
• Exploring strategies that help government CISOs strengthen cybersecurity, enhance interoperability, and build trust to boost national resilience
• How AI and emerging technologies are reshaping risk, identity, and trust in the public sector, and what today’s CISOs must do to stay ahead
• Preparing for the next era of cybersecurity leadership: anticipating future threats and enabling secure innovation without compromise
Panellists:
Jamie King, Chief Information Security Officer, Australian Federal Police
Jamie Norton, Chief Information Security Officer, Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Daminda Kumara, Chief Information Security Officer, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation
